Xabi Alonso is going to manage his penultimate game as Bayer Leverkusen boss against Borussia Dortmund, with rumours of a switch to the Real Madrid hotseat picking momentum. Last weekend, the reigning champions handed the Bundesliga title to rivals Bayern Munich following an entertaining draw with Freiburg.
Leverkusen went behind through Freiburg’s goals either side of the halftime whistle, and it took a late flurry from the former champions to peg back a point. Goals from Florian Wirtz and Jonathan Tah earned a deserved point, but the result ensured they lost the title, although that was expected.
Die Werkself next take on Borussia Dortmund in their penultimate game of the 2024/25 season, and the home side have nothing to win or lose. They are pretty much nailed on to finish second and unlikely to be troubled by those behind them to threaten their position.
As for the visitors Borussia Dortmund, they still have plenty to fight for in the two remaining games this season. While they are not favourites, mathematically, BVB are still in contention to finish in the top four, especially given third and fourth-placed sides Eintracht Frankfurt and Freiburg face each other on the last day of the season.
The lowdown on the top four race has Frankfurt with an advantage, as they are expected to beat St.Pauli, which could help them seal a Champions League place. Freiburg did win their game against Holstein Kiel, which allowed them to open a four-point advantage over Dortmund.
Hence, a win tomorrow against Bayer Leverkusen is imperative for Borussia Dortmund as they could close the gap to a single point before the close of the penultimate matchday. They face Holstein Kiel on the final day, aiming for a win and hoping for a draw or loss for Freiburg against Frankfurt on the final day of the season to dramatically seal a top-four finish.
Xabi Alonso is not about to go down losing the final two games of the season, particularly against a top-six team, especially at home. Hence, the Spaniard is expected to name a strong lineup to face Borussia Dortmund on Sunday, but he must do so without some of his stars.
Jeanuel Belocian, Martin Terrier, Mario Hermoso, Nordi Mukiele, and Alejo Sarco are all out of contention. However, he could revert to a familiar defensive setup with Jonathan Tah, Edmond Tapsoba, and Piero Hincapie all available.
Alejandro Grimaldo and Liverpool-linked Jeremie Frimpong are expected in their customary wing-back roles, with Robert Andrich and Granit Xhaka taking the reins of the midfield setup. Patrik Schick is expected to lead the line for Bayer Leverkusen against Borussia Dortmund, with Amine Adli and Florian Wirtz likely to support from the wide areas.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Hradecky; Tah, Tapsoba, Hincapie; Frimpong, Andrich, Xhaka, Grimaldo; Adli, Schick, Wirtz
Nico Kovac does not have too many injury-led issues in the team and has got to worry only about star defender Nico Schlotterbeck, who is expected to miss for the long term. Marcel Sabitzer is nearing a return from a knee problem and could be a feature on the bench.
Maximilian Beier is also missing from a problem and is not expected to feature for the team again this season, as he will be aiming to make a return before the Club World Cup in the summer. As for the team setup, Kovac is expected to name a familiar lineup involving a back three of Ramy Bensebaini, Anton and Niklas Sule.
Julian Ryerseon and Daniel Svensson are the likely choices for the wing-back berths, with Pascal Gross and Emre Can set to hold the midfield together. Karim Adeyemi and Julian Brandt will provide the ammunition for key striker Serhou Guirassy who will lead the line.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Kobel; Bensebaini, Anton, Sule; Ryerson, Gross, Can, Svensson; Adeyemi, Brandt; Guirassy
As Borussia Dortmund prepare to take on Bayer Leverkusen away from home, they must get a win and for the goals, Guirassy must take extra responsibility. This is a must-win encounter for Dortmund, as without one they won’t have a chance to finish in the Champions League on the last day of the season.
They would need Guirassy in top form ahead of this game in Leverkusen, as Kovac will want his top scorer to add to his 19 goals this season. Guirassy has also scored in the last three Bundesliga games, as he would hope to make it four on Sunday and help his team push for a top-four finish.
This is a game of pressure for Borussia Dortmund and that may affect the result, as Bayer Leverkusen does not have anything to gain from this clash. Xabi Alonso would ideally want to win what could be his final home game for the club as he could potentially leave the team in the summer, but they will face Kovac’s side who will want the three points more than the dethroned champions.
Dortmund have a point to prove, and they have shown plenty of evidence with their form that they have what it takes to make a top-four finish. A win is important on Sunday, as the visitors have the quality to hurt and avenge Leverkusen here to continue their push for Champions League football. Niko Kovac’s men are expected to take all three points.
